The Art Of Self-Disclosure

Last week, I got to learn something very interesting; people don’t like to self-disclose. No, I’m not blaming this on the people I met that made me realize this. Instead, I came to understand that this is a generational problem.

As much as we like to preach “we are one” in Africa, countless families still adopt individualistic views. These views have been passed down from generation to generation.

Don’t let social media fool you. Although people tend to disclose more often on social media, there’s a lot more involved when it comes to the real world. The real world is scary, vicious, and uncertain.

What you tell someone in secrecy may find its way to the most unexpected people in a rather short time. Although you’re trying to make things better, people antagonize your actions and words, calling you a gossip.

Telling people about your problems isn’t wrong. Expressing yourself and letting loved ones know about your weaknesses isn’t wrong. Going to therapy isn’t wrong. The sooner we start to realize this, the better. Otherwise, we risk continuing the cycle of bottled up emotions, which lead to physical abuse, social isolation, and so on.

Social isolation and a lack of disclosure causes a lot of medically related issues. If you don’t believe me, check out the numerous articles and research that scholars have compiled on Google.

So, I implore you to start expressing yourself to your loved ones. Tell them if you had a bad day, tell them if you had a good one. Heck, tell them about the annoying loss that nags your ear off. You’d be better for it.

Also, going to therapy should be massively encouraged. As someone who has been through therapy, I can tell you that it really does lift weights off your chest. It lets you breathe and puts you in better mental health.

We must learn how to speak out. We must learn how to self-disclose. We must learn how to express ourselves. Only then can this generational problem be cured.